Suchitra Sen, the legendary beauty who seems to have defied time by lingering on in the imaginations of movie goers (she turned 77 two months ago), fittingly plays both mother and daughter in this movie. Mamta is a Hindi film directed by Asit Sen.

Based on the novel Uttar Phalguni by Dr Nihar Ranjan Gupta, the story is as follows: Devyani (Suchitra Sen), a girl from a poor family, falls in love with Manish (Ashok Kumar), a wealthy man who departs for higher education abroad, leaving behind his sweetheart whom he plans to marry on his return. But in his absence things go badly wrong. Devyani’s father has a stroke. On his death bed, distraught, he forces Devyani to marry Rakhal, a much older man.

Rakhal turns out to be a drunkard, womaniser, and wife beater. Devyani’s life is hell. She becomes pregnant and has a daughter. Determined that her child should grow up far from Rakhal’s evil influence, she escapes from his clutches to become a courtesan. Her former sweetheart, now a lawyer, comes to her rescue and adopts her daughter who grows up (Suchitra Sen in a double role) and also becomes a lawyer, unaware of her real parentage. Rakhal, who has blackmailed Devyani for years, shows up on her daughter’s wedding day, demanding money. Devyani shoots him dead. When she appears in court she is defended first by Manish and then by her daughter, who finally learns the truth about her parentage.

This film is notable for featuring Suchitra Sen in one of her most famous roles, appearing both as a courtesan and an emancipated young woman. It is also remarkable for Asit Sen’s trademark panning shots, specially in the montage sequences.

Cast and Crew

Director: Asit Sen

Starring: Suchitra Sen, Ashok Kumar, Dharmendra, David, Pahadi Sanyal, Bipin Gupta, Asit Sen, Jahar Ray, Shyam Laha.

Banner: Charu Chitra, Calcutta

Music: Roshan

Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Hit Songs from Mamta

1) Chahe to mora jiya - Lata Mangeshkar- N 75034 (78 RPM Coupling No.)

2) Rahe na rahe hum - Lata Mangeshkar- N 75033 (")

3) Rahte the kabhi jinke dil mein - Lata- N 75034 (")

4) Chhupa lo yun dil mein pyar - Hemant Kumar & Lata- N 75035 (")

5) Vikal mora manwaa un bin haaye - Lata- N 75033 (")

6) Rahe na rahe hum - Mohd.Rafi & Suman Kalyanpur-No Record Released/Only on      Film Soundtrack

7) In baharon mein akele na phiro - Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle- N 75035.

Click here for Mamta songs